SUMMER 2022
CLASS NOTES: SUMMER 2022
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1977
Robin Rinearson opened Jake’s Ice Cream, named after Rinearson’s 29-year-old nephew who has cerebral palsy, in August 2021.
1980s
1984
Julie A. Schornack has been named President of Marshal B Ketchum University. Dr. Schornack received her optometry degree from ICO in 1984. She then completed a Masters of Education at Pacific University College of Optometry. She has been at MBKU since 1986. She began her career at MBKU serving in the Cornea and Contact Lens Service and teaching in the classroom, laboratory and clinic. She went on to take responsibility for the clinical education program, which oversaw both clinical externship and residency programs. Dr. Schornack also served as the Vice President of Clinical Affairs, which provided key leadership to the clinical programs for SCCO. Her current role supports the operations of the university as Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff. Dr. Schornack is well known to the MBKU community, having served for over 30 years in these various roles.
Kerry Gelb is featured in the groundbreaking film Open Your Eyes, now available on Amazon Prime and AppleTV!
1985
Neil Margolis was featured on the cover of the Spring/Summer 2022 issue of Chicago Health Magazine for his contribution to the article “Drifting Away”. The article covers children who may dislike reading and the possibility of vision complications that can cause this aversion to reading as well as how to address these concerns.
1990s
2000s
2005
Joshua C. Baker was promoted to Senior Vice President and Chief Academic Officer at Midwestern University Arizona College of Optometry.
Dr. Baker received his bachelor’s degree from Ithaca College in 1999, earned a Master of Science in Secondary Science Education from Syracuse University in 2001, and graduated Magna cum Laude from the Illinois College of Optometry in 2005. His post-doctoral residency was in primary eye care at Northeastern State University College of Optometry at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. He has previously served Midwestern University as the Assistant Dean, Assistant Dean of Clinical Affairs, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Dean of the Arizona College of Optometry as well as the Acting Dean of the Chicago College of Optometry.
2006
Anney (Kunthara) Joseph contributed “Comprehensive eye telehealth” to Ocular Telehealth A Practical Guide and “Letting go of cognitive error: when presumed glaucoma isn’t glaucoma: a teaching case report” in the Journal of Optometric Education in 2022
2010s
2012
Barton Higley opened a new practice location in Keene, NH in May.
When Dr. Higley began practicing, he made it his goal to truly connect with his patients so that he could empathize with them." As I learn more about my patients' lives—who they are and what they do—I am able to address their eye care challenges with more care and precision, which helps improve their quality of life. That’s what eye care is really all about!”
Dr. Higley resides in Dublin, NH with his wife and daughters. During his free time, he enjoys being with his family, training for triathlons, playing tennis, kayaking, and playing the guitar.
2016
Richard Miller opened a cold start practice, KITSU Eye Care in Annapolis, MD. in March 2022.
2020s
Friends and Family
Mea Culpa
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The following abbreviations denote predecessor names of the Illinois College of Optometry.
NICO: Northern Illinois College of Optometry
CCO: Chicago College of Optometry
MCO: Monroe College of Optometry
